Mike Wells

Mike Wells is an American professional basketball coach who is an assistant coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes of the Big Ten Conference. He was involved in the National Basketball Association (NBA) system as an assistant coach from 1994 to 2024 with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets. Wells was the head coach for the Adelaide 36ers of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) from 2024 to 2026.

Early life Wells was raised in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and attended Mount Vernon High School.

College career Wells played two seasons of college basketball for Mount Vernon Nazarene University, graduating in 1993. During that time, he earned a degree in sports management. His basketball coach, Scott Flemming, encouraged Wells to pursue a career in coaching. and assistant video coordinator. However, in June 2014, he joined the Utah Jazz as an assistant coach under head coach Quin Snyder.

Wells spent eight seasons with the Jazz, the last coming in 2021–22. His final three seasons with the Jazz saw him serve in a dual role of Director of Basketball Operations.

Wells served as an assistant coach with USA Basketball in three of the six qualifying windows for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. On August 12, 2024, the 36ers elevated Wells to the position of head coach after sacking Scott Ninnis. He led Adelaide back into the finals for the first time in seven years.

In the 2025–26 NBL season, Wells guided the 36ers to 27 wins from 41 games, the club's best regular season since 1986. On May 6, 2026, he stepped down as head coach of the 36ers.

On May 13, 2026, Wells was hired as an assistant coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes under head coach Jake Diebler.

Personal life Wells' wife, Kerri Cronk, worked as a television anchor in Utah for 30 years. They each have two sons from previous relationships.